British Actor Matthew Goode Has Gotten Better In Dept. Q

[+ Gar1eth]

I first became aware of Matthew Goode in the Discovery Of Witches miniseries a few years back. I read the books, and I liked the series. But I had some problems with it.  The protagonist Diana was played by Australian actress Teresa Palmer. For some reason I thought her acting was really awkward until the last season. I don't know why.
 

As for Matthew Goode who played the vampire love interest-maybe I'm just too influenced by the covers of romance novel bodice rippers (I don't read them (believe me or not🤓) -only see them -or used to see them rather when I'd go to the bookstore or magazine  section of the drugstore), but I never thought he looked hunky/ripped enough. 
 

But he's in a new police procedural about cold case files in Scotland called Department Q. It's on Netflix. I've seen the 1st two episodes, and I'm really enjoying it. I'm also digging the beard big time. 
 

[samhexum]

27 minutes ago, Gar1eth said:

I first became aware of Matthew Goode in the Discovery Of Witches miniseries a few years back.

I first became aware of him on THE GOODE WIFE.

[Njguy2]

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0360139/

He came up on my radar back in 2004 - with the movie Chasing Liberty.  A romcom - but he's got some great scenes in boxer briefs.

Am actually enjoying "Dept Q".  The beard is nice - but the sprinkling of grey in his hair, looks good on him.

Edited June 9 by Njguy2

[Njguy2]

Finished binging Dept Q - bit graphic at times, but a great detective show.  Supporting actors are great.  Hope this gets picked up for additional seasons.

[SirBillybob]

It’s based on the first in a series of Danish novels and Danish films / series, so considerable potential for future adaptations. Goode is no Oldman but the strong supporting characters make it work. I‘ve seen him in too much of his filmography to detail but remember him particularly as Colin Firth’s tragic partner in A Single Man. It was going to be set in Boston not Edinburgh but then we wouldn’t have the Dept Head played by Kate Dickie chewing up the fucking scenery. 

[d.anders]

It's a bit too wooden, too made-for-TV. I think Goode is a fine actor, but the character was annoying as all hell. The accents drove me crazy, and the women were not easy on the eyes.

[jeezifonly]

On 6/20/2025 at 11:46 AM, d.anders said:

It's a bit too wooden, too made-for-TV. I think Goode is a fine actor, but the character was annoying as all hell. The accents drove me crazy, and the women were not easy on the eyes.

I love casting in UK dramas, 
because very few people are easy on the eyes. 
The show is dark and twisted, in the Scandinavian crime story way, and a real departure for Goode. I think the character used to be a cocky, handsome charmer, but time and stress just left him cocky. 

Overall, Great, smart show, I think. Very dark. 
 


 

[d.anders]

I stopped reading the NY Times, but I heard their critic likes the show.

7 hours ago, jeezifonly said:

I love casting in UK dramas, 
because very few people are easy on the eyes.

I also enjoy this about UK productions, but the 2 female leads in Dept Q were a bit too horse-faced for me. My favorite character turned out to be Akram.

[MikeThomas]

On 6/20/2025 at 2:46 PM, d.anders said:

It's a bit too wooden, too made-for-TV. I think Goode is a fine actor, but the character was annoying as all hell. The accents drove me crazy, and the women were not easy on the eyes.

I agree.  In E2 (?) they did some weird camera stuff that make Goode's face all twisted and very gaunt.  That, plus the torture of keeping the victim [spoiler] for [spolier] was too much.

[Njguy2]

"Dept. Q is based on the Danish book series of the same name, author Jussi Adler-Olsen.  The books are a series of Nordic noir crime thrillers, featuring the character of Carl Mørck, a former homicide detective who heads the cold case unit, Department Q. Netflix series is set in Edinburgh, Scotland, the original books are set in Copenhagen." So for season two - expect more dark themes.

[Km411]

Not a huge fan of police/detective stories, but very much enjoyed the series.

[+ purplekow]

On 6/20/2025 at 11:46 AM, d.anders said:

It's a bit too wooden, too made-for-TV. I think Goode is a fine actor, but the character was annoying as all hell. The accents drove me crazy, and the women were not easy on the eyes.

But Steven Miller as a love interest for Merrill has a few naked scenes, no full frontal but a substantial ass and a great body.  So much so that I googled him.  I enjoyed this thoroughly.  So much more complex and riveting than US crime fare.  I inadverently watched the final episode first which made the story much easier to follow but it was still full of surprises.  

Goode was good not great but very believable though his public outbursts would never have happened a second time let alone a third time as it did in the show.  

https://images.app.goo.gl/7CgzCru9BTCdxutz7

Think this is an old picture but it is representative of what you will see and then more to see in Depr. Q

Edited July 6 by purplekow

[jeezifonly]

5 minutes ago, purplekow said:

But Steven Miller as a love interest for Merrill has a few naked scenes, no full frontal but a substantial ass and a great body.  So much so that I googled him.  I enjoyed this thoroughly.  So much more complex and riveting than US crime fare.  I inadverently watched the final episode first which made the story much easier to follow but it was still full of surprises.  

I recall strong work from Miller as Ashley Jensen’s clerical brother in Shetland. He’s good with complex characters, while simultaneously being in possession of a fine bum.